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NOTE: We love your comments and work hard to ensure they are productive, considerate, and welcoming of all perspectives. Disagreements are encouraged, but only if done with tact and respect. If you see a mean or inappropriate comment, please contact us and we'll take a look at it right away. Thank you — Jonathan

That particular radius step through bar makes the bike really classy. Occasionally, I see it on older bikes. I figured it was a european thing, but thought also thought maybe it was a design exclusive to one particular brand.

Yes SKIDmark…I have done that a lot (\’Ride Like a Dutchman\’), as it is pretty easy to do…if you do not try to ride too fast (>12 mph) or use too big of an umbrella.

Jonathan, the Scout model above looks very very similar to a class of oma fiets that have hit the Dutch market over the last 3 years. They come in a rainbow of fun colours and were retailing for about US$270 to US $400 for a single speed the last time I visited. The shipping, US Taxes, and handling boost up the price.

Those are not as robust as the traditional models, and may not last as long parked outside in the rain nor carrying heavier riders (more flex). (Save your money and buy the real thing…unless you are looking for a bike for a high theft area or a short period of light use.)

For many Amsterdam riders they have filled the nitch of providing cheap and fun comfortable transport without breaking the bank now that 2nd hand bikes from a shop cost that much and the police crack down on the buying of stolen bikes has dried up the trade in 10 Guilder ($20) \’used\’ bikes of the 90\’s.

Plus the colours make it easier to find ones bike in the sea of black bikes parked at the station.

Jonathan, I would not classify this bike as the same as the Batavas Old Dutch. That bike is a step up in class – metal plating, stainless steel rims, etc. It is likley a more equal match to the Electra Amsterdam in components.

Though the Scout looks to have a full chain case, which is an improvement over the Amsterdam, which is just a half chain case.

Has anyone reviewed the Scout yet? I am seriously thinking about buying one! I am car-free in Columbus, Ohio and want to make a good decision. Also, I am concerned a bit because I am a 5\’5\” male, and the smallest size for men is a medium. They specify the medium is for 5\’7\” and taller people… Please advise me!

Kudos to J&O for the Scout bike, and I say that as their largest competitor (SBS is a close second). If the North American consumer thought bikes like Batavus or AZOR (who makes J&O bikes) are the only game in Holland, they are wrong. In Holland you can buy a Dutch bike for 200 Euro up to 700 Euro. To the untrained eye, they look the same, but they aren\’t. With the Scout, J&O invites and challenges the North American consumer to train those eyes and ask what counts for quality in Holland (and no, it\’s not lighter weight or more speeds!). On a good Dutch bike, salvation is always found in the details. A better bike will have stainless steel wheels, 13 gauge spokes, chrome-plated parts, galvanized frame, durable paint, a quality seat, the list goes on. The Scout looks a lot like the budget BSP brand of bikes sold in Holland. The Batavus is far better, as is the higher end J&O bikes. In fact, as I like to say to my Curbside customers (www.curbside.on.ca), the Batavus finally gave the cycle commuter a good excuse to spend more than $300 on a bike. Before Dutch bikes hit our shores, spending more money on a bike never resolved problems like: stained clothing, rust, stolen parts, uncomfortable and unsafe riding positions and high maintenance. So, if you have the money, spend it on a high quality Dutch bike. If not, buy the Scout, it\’s better than the Electra and other \’city bikes\’ produced by North American companies.

You compare the Scout(that isn\’t made by Azor, but by the company that makes Achielle – http://www.achielle.be ) to the BSP bike, but (for the trained eye) their are really a lot of differences between those bikes! If you compare part per part, you\’ll see approx. all parts are better / more high-end than on the BSP bikes.
I think the Scout is good quality, but simple, more simple than the \”J&O Original\”… and I think that is what the intention is of the scout.